When a wild-land fire hotshot and a wedding planner got engaged, there was only one place that fit the rugged elegance they were looking for in a venue, The HideOut. This rustic elegant wedding venue is located in Kirkwood, California.
Get an eyeful of so much beautiful rustic inspired details from this clearly colorful California wedding in the full gallery here, captured by Photography by Monique.

bridal party as officiants

I placed old family heirlooms throughout the wedding to remind us of those who had already passed on; my Grandmother’s lipstick holder with flower halo’s for guest to enjoy & vintage hankies’s as they were my Grandfather’s favorite. Personal touches and handmade items were a true labor of love for us. Our ceremony was preformed by our bridal party - Each person taking on a different part. It’s a beautiful feeling to have your best friends leading you to recite your vows, or handing you your rings to place on each others finger. These are the people who speak into our lives on a daily basis, so when it came time for who we wanted to marry us they were the perfect fit.

rain won't ruin your day

Distressed wood chandeliers filled with olive branches hung above the head table, which had handmade leather chevron table runners that added the perfect “something” special. Bright florals, colorful vintage bottles and pheasant feathers that were homage to my fiance who loves to hunt adorned the guest tables under the clear top tent. Mother nature graced us with quite a bit of rain on our big day, so we brought the ceremony inside the main lodge 30 minutes before it was set to begin. Looking back on the change of plans, it actually created the most special and intimate moment of our day.

plan for an imperfectly perfect day

A custom Aztec weave created the perfect backdrop for a dream dessert bar filled with endless goodies. We had ideas for what we wanted to do, it was just a matter of bringing them to life. What seemed like countless hours were spent making the “bar” marquee, seating chart and the homemade hot sauce, but in the end it was all worth it! My advice for brides is different after experiencing it for myself. Even as a wedding planner I can say that things sometimes won’t be perfect; but it will never take away from how special your wedding day is. Make a point to step back during the day and take it all in, it’s an amazing feeling.